Uplifting Filipino lives never stops for Sen. Villar

Throughout her term, Senator Cynthia Villar had consistently pushed for agricultural development.

Villar, who served as chair of the agriculture and environment committees, cited, among her achievements, the landmark agricultural and environmental legislation, including the Rice Tariffication Law, the Coconut Farmers Trust Fund Act, and over 50 protected area laws under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).

She also authored the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 (RA 10845), which was recently strengthened by the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act of 2024 (RA 12022), and the Free Irrigation Service Act (RA 10969).

She also highlighted her work on waste management through the Extended Producer Responsibility Act.

“In this chamber, you fondly called me Mamabear—a simple moniker, but one I took to heart,” Villar said.

Villar delivered her valedictory speech on 12 June, capping a 12-year Senate career marked by reforms in agriculture, rural development and environmental protection.

Her peers pay tribute to Villar, who chaired two of the most consequential and relevant committees in recent years — Agriculture and Food, and Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.

In her remarks, Villar recalled the day she first entered the chamber.

“Twelve years ago, I entered the halls of the Senate with the clear intention to serve with integrity and use the knowledge I had to make a difference — especially to uplift the lives of those who need it most,” Villar said.

“I wanted to use my experience to improve the quality of life of our fellow Filipinos, especially our farmers who feed the nation but too often remain deprived of support and opportunity.”

Her most controversial yet impactful measure was the Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), which liberalized rice importation while establishing the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

Villar said the law was “enhanced by RA 12078,” which ensured continued support for local rice farmers through the distribution of seeds, machinery, credit access and training.

Villar also pushed for reforms in organic farming through RA 11511, introducing the participatory guarantee system to help smallholder farmers certify their produce.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Environment, Villar helped expand the country’s protected areas and authored the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 — a landmark law that compels manufacturers to recover and recycle their plastic waste as part of a shift toward a circular economy.

“We passed additional specific protected area laws. We also championed the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, which institutionalized accountability in the use of plastic packaging,” she said. “This law encourages us to change how we view waste — to repurpose instead of simply discard.”`

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Villar participated in crafting the Bayanihan Laws, which provided emergency subsidies, supported the health sector, and ensured the continuity of the food supply chain.

The senator expressed her deep gratitude to her colleagues and staff for the work they accomplished together.

“I had the privilege of working with five Senate Presidents — Franklin Drilon, Koko Pimentel, Tito Sotto, Migz Zubiri and Chiz Escudero. Thank you for your leadership,” she said.

She also thanked her fellow senators, the Senate Secretariat, and her technical team.

Though her term is ending, Villar assured that her commitment to public service remains.

“Public service does not end when the term does,” she said in Filipino. “Hindi natatapos ang paglilingkod sa pagtatapos ng termino.”

Villar etched a career marked by legislation focused on supporting farmers and protecting the environment.

“My goal has always been to improve the quality of life of our people, especially our farmers who feed us,” she said in her valedictory speech.

The following are some of the key laws that Villar authored or sponsored:

• RA 10654 – Prevents Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF);

• RA 10659 – Sugarcane Industry Development Act;

• RA 10816 – Farm Tourism Development Act;

• RA 10817 – Halal Export Development and Promotion Act;

• RA 10845 – Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which was strengthened by RA 12022, the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act of 2024;

• RA 10969 – Free Irrigation Service Act;

• RA 11203 – Rice Tariffication Law, as enhanced by RA 12078. It reformed the country’s rice import policy and established the annual Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to provide rice farmers with high-quality seeds, modern farm equipment, accessible credit, and capacity-building programs;

• RA 11321 – Sagip Saka Act;

• RA 11511 – Enhances the Organic Agriculture Act and introduces the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for smallholder certification;

• RA 11524 – Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act: Returns recovered coco levy funds to farmers via programs and support;

• RA 11547 – Declares Davao City as the Chocolate Capital and Region XI as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines;

• RA 11700 – Declares Catanduanes as the Abaca Capital;

• RA 11707 – Declares San Jose, Batangas as the Egg Basket of the Philippines;

• RA 11901 – Expands rural and agricultural financing through the Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act;

• RA 11953 – New Agrarian Emancipation Act: Condoned ₱57 billion in unpaid amortizations of 600,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries; and

• RA 11985 – Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.

As Chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, she pursued legislative action to protect the country’s rich biodiversity and promote sustainable use of natural resources:

• RA 11038 – Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018, which declared 94 new legislated protected areas across the country, such as forests, watersheds, and marine ecosystems, to ensure their long-term conservation and proper management. Ito po ay pamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon;

• RA 11684 – Mt. Arayat Protected Landscape Act;

• RA 11685 – Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape Act;

• RA 11686 – Naga-Kabasalan Protected Landscape Act;

• RA 11687 – Tirad Pass Protected Landscape Act;

• RA 11688 – Banao Protected Landscape Act;

• RA 11806 – Tugbo Natural Biotic Area Act; and

• RA 11933 – Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary Act.